Huayu 16: I Became the Dream-Fulfilling Master for Young Actresses

Tian Xiwei felt her ears burning under his gaze and whispered, "Brother Xingzhou... why are you staring at me..."

She was secretly delighted.

"That look in Xingzhou's eyes just now? Has he suddenly realized something?!"

Chen Xingzhou snapped out of his daze, withdrew his hand, and said naturally, "Why are you running around in this cold weather? Just send me a message, and I'll come see you."

"I just wanted to surprise you."

Tian Xiwei's lips curled up, and she quickly glanced at Meng Ziyi in the seat out of the corner of her eye, a knowing look flashing in her eyes.

Chen Xingzhou realized what was happening and introduced Meng Ziyi: "This is Tian Xiwei, who I grew up with. This is her best friend, Xiao Lu."

"Tian Xiwei?"

Meng Ziyi's smile faltered for a moment, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

Surname Tian? Not Chen?

However, this thought only lingered for a second before she immediately rationalized it.

Oh right, that's how some families are now, one child takes the father's surname and the other takes the mother's surname.

Judging from Chen Xingzhou's nervous appearance, it must be his younger sister.

She secretly rejoiced that she hadn't asked a foolish question, and her smile became even more friendly.

"So it's little sister Xixi. Please sit down, it's too cold outside. Have a warm drink first. I often hear Xingzhou mention you."

Meng Ziyi pulled out the chair next to her and handed her the hot lemon tea from the table.

"Please sit down, please sit down. It's too cold outside. Have some hot drinks to warm yourself up. My name is Meng Ziyi, and I'm Xingzhou's classmate."

She didn't think about it at all, not even the possibility of childhood sweethearts.

Chen Xingzhou didn't think much of it, nor did he offer any special explanation.

Moreover, they grew up together, but have different surnames. Could there be another answer?

Tian Xiwei took the hot lemon tea, her mind perfectly clear.

The girl in front of me had long, flowing hair, wore an elegant white sweater, and had a gentle and graceful demeanor.

I sat very close to Chen Xingzhou. There were two sets of bowls and chopsticks and a half-eaten claypot rice on the table.

What do you often hear mentioned? What kind of warm-hearted older sister?

It's obvious that he's just someone trying to get close to her by taking the "younger sister" route.

If it were anyone else, she probably would have rolled her eyes and called them out long ago.

But today is different.

She wanted to see what tricks this seemingly gentle girl would use.

Since someone has offered themselves up to act, it would be a shame for her not to cooperate.

Moreover, this is a good opportunity to learn about Chen Xingzhou's daily life.

She was always at school and only had the opportunity to visit him during holidays.

"Thank you, sister."

She lowered her head, pretending to be obedient, but secretly poked Xiao Lu's arm with her finger.

Xiao Lu immediately understood and secretly mouthed, "What's going on?"

Tian Xiwei smiled sweetly, blinked nonchalantly, and replied with two words: "Watching the show."

Chen Xingzhou didn't notice their subtle movements and naturally pushed the untouched hot Hong Kong-style milk tea in front of him towards Tian Xiwei.

Then he shoved the menu into her hand again, saying, "Don't drink lemon tea, you don't like sour things. Order whatever you want, it's too cold for you."

His movements were so natural, as if he had done them a thousand times.

Seeing this, Meng Ziyi became even more certain of his judgment.

She immediately took out her phone, opened the WeChat QR code, and leaned close to Tian Xiwei, smiling gently.

"Hey Xixi, let's add each other on WeChat. I heard you're going to take the art exam? Feel free to ask me anything you don't understand."

If you can't find Chen Xingzhou, you can also look for me.

Tian Xiwei glanced at Chen Xingzhou, who was talking to a waiter on the other side, bit her lip, and took out her phone to scan the QR code.

"Thank you, Sister Ziyi."

Her gaze swept over Meng Ziyi, she thought for a moment, and then said, "I want to apply to the Shanghai Theatre Academy."

She had secretly thought that if she went to the same school as Chen Xingzhou, she could see him every day.

But now, watching Meng Ziyi sitting next to Chen Xingzhou, so naturally chatting about their shared audition and common topics, he was struck by how Meng Ziyi was sitting next to Chen Xingzhou.

She suddenly realized that if she stayed by Chen Xingzhou's side, she would probably always be "Xingzhou's sister".

She didn't want to be his younger sister anymore; she wanted to go far away, so far that he could no longer take her for granted as a child.

Although Chen Xingzhou's look just now was very strange, she didn't dare to gamble.

"Shanghai Theatre Academy is great!"

Meng Ziyi's eyes lit up, and she immediately pulled her aside and started chattering away about the important points of the art exam, her attitude incredibly enthusiastic.

When Chen Xingzhou returned after adding more food, he saw the two people chatting enthusiastically.

It was a bit of a surprise, but I didn't think much of it.

He just felt that Meng Ziyi was quite enthusiastic, and Tian Xiwei was unusually well-behaved.

Meng Ziyi secretly glanced at Chen Xingzhou, and when their eyes met, she immediately gave him a sweet smile.

Chen Xingzhou nodded, then turned to look at Tian Xiwei.

"Have you ordered? Order more if you need more."

"Enough, enough!"

Tian Xiwei waved the menu in her hand, her two dimples sinking deep into her smile, and deliberately raised her voice.

"Brother Xingzhou ordered steamed spare ribs with black bean sauce, custard buns, and double-skin milk pudding—all my favorites!"

Meng Ziyi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied.

"Wow, Xingzhou is so good to you, he even remembers what you like to eat so clearly."

"Of course!" Tian Xiwei proudly raised her chin, like a kitten showing off its owner.

"I've been hanging out with Xingzhou since I was little; he knows everything."

As she spoke, she deliberately picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and held it to Chen Xingzhou's lips, "Brother Xingzhou, eat quickly, this is the best."

Chen Xingzhou opened his mouth to catch it, chewed it a couple of times, and nodded. "Hmm, it's really good."

Seeing this, Meng Ziyi smiled even more gently, becoming even more certain that they were siblings.

Tian Xiwei lowered her head, stirring her milk tea with a spoon, a sly glint in her eyes.

But then she became a little upset, since she wouldn't get much time off.

Even if she got Meng Ziyi's WeChat, it wouldn't restrict her in any way.

Most importantly, she still felt that Chen Xingzhou had no feelings for her and still treated her like a younger sister.

She dared not reveal her true thoughts and could only stay by Chen Xingzhou's side by virtue of her status as his younger sister.

……

The dishes were served quickly: steaming spare ribs with black bean sauce and fluffy, white lava buns.

Only then did Chen Xingzhou have time to check the system rewards.

Upon seeing the "peach blossom eyes," he couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Looking at dogs with such affection? What the heck?

However, recalling how Tian Xiwei's ears had turned red from his gaze, he remained silent for a moment.

Okay... as long as it works.

Meng Ziyi acted as a "caring older sister" throughout, proactively serving Tian Xiwei ribs and peeling shrimp shells, while constantly talking about the ins and outs of the art exam.

"Don't wear heavy makeup for the first interview, the teacher can tell right away. Just apply some lipstick to brighten your complexion."

There's also a talent show segment; don't choose anything too complicated, singing and dancing are the safest bets.

While pretending to listen attentively, Tian Xiwei occasionally threw out a few questions to try and get information out of Meng Ziyi, all the while observing Chen Xingzhou's expression.

"Sister Ziyi, did you and Brother Xingzhou audition together?"

"I've already auditioned; I'm playing Mu Nianci."

"Wow, Sister Ziyi is amazing!"

Tian Xiwei's eyes lit up, then she asked casually:

"By the way, is Xingzhou really popular at school? Do a lot of girls have a crush on him?"